The end of the Malaysian Grand Prix generated plenty of controversy. As you know, Red Bull Racing asked its drivers to maintain their positions, but Sebastian Vettel still put the pressure on and eventually overtook his teammate, Mark Webber. Then, Mercedes AMG urged Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamlton not to fight each other for the final step on the podium.
These are two very different situations: Vettel disobeyed team orders, while Rosberg and Hamilton perfectly followed them. In both cases, however, advocates from the two sides continue to attack each other through social media.
When considering the Vettel vs. Webber battle, you have to admit that we've seen more than our fair share of boring finishes over the past few years. On Sunday, we witnessed some real competition, and a bold display of driving skills. Granted, poor Webber never expected to have to fight his aggressive teammate for the lead!
One journalist rightfully pointed out that Vettel pulled a Pironi on Webber. You may remember that in 1982, at the San Marino Grand Prix, Ferrari asked its two drivers, Gilles Villeneuve (leading) and Didier Pironi (2nd) to slow down in order to save fuel. However, in the final lap, the latter delinquently passed an unsuspecting Villeneuve, who immediately became livid. Two weeks later, a still-fuming Villeneuve tragically died at Zolder.
The issue here isn't to let drivers duke it out on the track; it's about team orders. How many times have we heard Ferrari ask Rubens Barrichello to step aside and allow Michael Schumacher to overtake him? F1 teams have always given instructions to the drivers, even back in the 1950s.
McLaren was one of the rare teams, I believe, not to impose orders during the glory years of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. As a result, we were treated to some historic duels, but also some bumping and shoving. It made for fantastic races and championships -- pure, sometimes hard-core racing action involving the world's best drivers.
That's what today's fans would like to see, because therein lies the real essence of auto racing. Please, directors, we're begging you to unleash the Vettels, Webbers, Rosbergs, Hamiltons, Alonsos, and Massas. Let them show their true colours and race without any orders to follow!
These are two very different situations: Vettel disobeyed team orders, while Rosberg and Hamilton perfectly followed them. In both cases, however, advocates from the two sides continue to attack each other through social media.
When considering the Vettel vs. Webber battle, you have to admit that we've seen more than our fair share of boring finishes over the past few years. On Sunday, we witnessed some real competition, and a bold display of driving skills. Granted, poor Webber never expected to have to fight his aggressive teammate for the lead!
One journalist rightfully pointed out that Vettel pulled a Pironi on Webber. You may remember that in 1982, at the San Marino Grand Prix, Ferrari asked its two drivers, Gilles Villeneuve (leading) and Didier Pironi (2nd) to slow down in order to save fuel. However, in the final lap, the latter delinquently passed an unsuspecting Villeneuve, who immediately became livid. Two weeks later, a still-fuming Villeneuve tragically died at Zolder.
The issue here isn't to let drivers duke it out on the track; it's about team orders. How many times have we heard Ferrari ask Rubens Barrichello to step aside and allow Michael Schumacher to overtake him? F1 teams have always given instructions to the drivers, even back in the 1950s.
McLaren was one of the rare teams, I believe, not to impose orders during the glory years of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. As a result, we were treated to some historic duels, but also some bumping and shoving. It made for fantastic races and championships -- pure, sometimes hard-core racing action involving the world's best drivers.
That's what today's fans would like to see, because therein lies the real essence of auto racing. Please, directors, we're begging you to unleash the Vettels, Webbers, Rosbergs, Hamiltons, Alonsos, and Massas. Let them show their true colours and race without any orders to follow!
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| Didier Pironi, Gilles Villeneuve, Ferrari 1982 (Photo: WRI2) |